We all want to be healthier. We all know to eat our vegetables, exercise, and get plenty of rest. But it’s also nice for those of us who would just like to pop a pill — or better yet a piece of candy — to get some of those necessary nutrients we need in a flavorful confection.

Confections fortified with healthy ingredients help us to that goal a little faster, easier and in a more tasteful way than ever before.

INBalance Health Corp. has developed a doctor-formulated nutrition bar that helps manage weight and glucose by slowly releasing carbs and providing sustained energy to keep consumers full between meals. INBar is designed to go with an 8-oz. glass of water so that it swells and keeps the belly full, according to Nichole Allen, marketing/public relations lead for the Wayland, Mich., manufacturer.

Launched a year and a half ago with strawberry, chocolate mint, cherry chocolate and chocolate fudge, INBar has added chocolate butter crunch and cinnamon swirl to its line. Each is certified gluten- and GMO-free, vegan, kosher and organic, and bereft the top six allergens — soy, eggs, corn, dairy, nuts and wheat.

Organic brown rice and fiber minimizes sugar spikes and controls hunger, Allen says, who projects sales to double. “Conscientious consumers watching their weight want convenience but don’t want to sacrifice taste,” she adds.

 To aid in the nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing women, Credible Cravings, of Irvine, Calif., has developed three organic snacks bars using organic whole foods and natural probiotics.

Each bar — available in lemon ginger greens, oatmeal cranberry and chocolate —  contain omega-3 fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics to aid in healthy digestion. Credible Cravings also use ginger to alleviate nausea and upset stomachs, and oats containing vitamin B, potassium and fiber to provide energy and aid in digestion. Other wholesome ingredients include almonds, dates, quinoa and sweet potatoes, which provide protein, fiber and/or vitamins and minerals.

Founder Stephanie Baker also expects to launch new bars in the next 12 months. “As consumers become more educated about real food nutrition, and as science reveals more about the damaging impact that the chemicals and processes polluting our food supply have on the health of our population, the functional food category will continue to expand,” she says. “More and more consumers will seek out whole food ingredients that provide their bodies with nutrients to fuel their individual lifestyle.”

Taste is everything. The demand for good-tasting gluten-free products has literally expanded the business of Bakery on Main, which just broke ground in June on its new 111,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant in East Hartford, Conn. This quadrupling in size from its previous home is expected to create more than 70 new jobs.

There has been tremendous growth in gluten-free products, such as the snack bars, granola and cereals that Bakery on Main produces, according to founder and President Michael Smulders. “It used to be that (gluten-free products) tasted terrible,” he says. “People didn’t have a choice. Now that’s over.”

There’s a trend for better tasting healthy foods, he says. “They expect it to be natural, high quality and to taste good,” he adds.

The bakery’s newest product is its Truebar fruit and snack bar line with low glycemic index ingredients, such as agave nectar, and the addition of inulin to increase the fiber intake. Truebar comes in six flavors: apricot almond chai, coconut cashew, fruit and nut, hazelnut chocolate cherry, raspberry chocolate almond and walnut cappuccino. All products are gluten- and GMO-free, with natural flavors using whole nuts and unsulfured dried fruits.  

Gum and mints, on the other hand, have been well documented to help freshen breath, but help ward off a cold? It’s available as well. And for the sake of convenience, Immuno Gum claims to offer the same benefits of products like Airborne and Zicam, without the need for water. You can keep the gum in your pocket and you don’t have to worry about it getting stuck to the wrapper like some cold lozenges do, says creator Dr. Terry O’Neil. The emergency room physician said the gum’s immunity-boosting ingredients absorb faster into the system.

“I wanted a product that made sense to me personally,” he explains. “You want zinc and vitamin C to be constantly in the back of your throat. You have to get it in the right place.” This can be achieved by chewing Immuno Gum, he says, because as you constantly chew, the ingredients are rolling down the back of your throat. “It’s great for using when first exposed to a cold.”

There are six key ingredients to support immunity and cut the duration of cold symptoms in Immuno Gum: zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, Siberian ginseng, astragalus and echinacea. Zinc also helps block the entrance of cold viruses, he says.

The sugar-free, gluten-free gum is available in three flavors: mint, mixed berry extra strength and a vitamin C only gum calledImmuno C Gum in citrus flavor. O’Neil plans to launch three more SKUs this fall.

    Some confections are even good for the teeth, according to Katie King, spokeswoman for Zellie’s line of all-natural gums and mints sweetened with 100 percent xylitol. “What a totally amazing concept to imagine giving candies to kids to ensure they grow up with good teeth,” she says.

Noting that in Scandinavia, xylitol candies are used as preventive dental measures, King said the sugar substitute also helps in the digestive tract as a pre-biotic and aids with dry mouth.

Zellie’s also has cleaned up their ingredient list by removing whitening aid titanium dioxide and changed the packaging to give “Zellie’s a lively and exciting new look,” she says. “Our vibrant fresh packaging helps communicate the wonderful health side of our product’s story and also the yummy flavors and fresh taste you can expect.”

Zellie’s comes in peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon and fresh fruit gum blister packs as well as cool mint, cool fruit, cinnamon and spearmint pocket-friendly tins.

The Rochester, N.Y., manufacturer contributes 1 percent of gross sales to fight preventable tooth decay and gum disease through its Gift of Healthy Teeth Fund established last year. It all makes sense: good confections, good works, and a growing category.We all want to be healthier. We all know to eat our vegetables, exercise, and get plenty of rest. But it’s also nice for those of us who would just like to pop a pill — or better yet a piece of candy — to get some of those necessary nutrients we need in a flavorful confection.

 Confections fortified with healthy ingredients help us to that goal a little faster, easier and in a more tasteful way than ever before.

INBalance Health Corp. has developed a doctor-formulated nutrition bar that helps manage weight and glucose by slowly releasing carbs and providing sustained energy to keep consumers full between meals. INBar is designed to go with an 8-oz. glass of water so that it swells and keeps the belly full, according to Nichole Allen, marketing/public relations lead for the Wayland, Mich., manufacturer.

Launched a year and a half ago with strawberry, chocolate mint, cherry chocolate and chocolate fudge, INBar has added chocolate butter crunch and cinnamon swirl to its line. Each is certified gluten- and GMO-free, vegan, kosher and organic, and bereft the top six allergens — soy, eggs, corn, dairy, nuts and wheat.

Organic brown rice and fiber minimizes sugar spikes and controls hunger, Allen says, who projects sales to double. “Conscientious consumers watching their weight want convenience but don’t want to sacrifice taste,” she adds.

 To aid in the nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing women, Credible Cravings, of Irvine, Calif., has developed three organic snacks bars using organic whole foods and natural probiotics.

Each bar — available in lemon ginger greens, oatmeal cranberry and chocolate —  contain omega-3 fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics to aid in healthy digestion. Credible Cravings also use ginger to alleviate nausea and upset stomachs, and oats containing vitamin B, potassium and fiber to provide energy and aid in digestion. Other wholesome ingredients include almonds, dates, quinoa and sweet potatoes, which provide protein, fiber and/or vitamins and minerals.

Founder Stephanie Baker also expects to launch new bars in the next 12 months. “As consumers become more educated about real food nutrition, and as science reveals more about the damaging impact that the chemicals and processes polluting our food supply have on the health of our population, the functional food category will continue to expand,” she says. “More and more consumers will seek out whole food ingredients that provide their bodies with nutrients to fuel their individual lifestyle.”

Taste is everything. The demand for good-tasting gluten-free products has literally expanded the business of Bakery on Main, which just broke ground in June on its new 111,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant in East Hartford, Conn. This quadrupling in size from its previous home is expected to create more than 70 new jobs.

There has been tremendous growth in gluten-free products, such as the snack bars, granola and cereals that Bakery on Main produces, according to founder and President Michael Smulders. “It used to be that (gluten-free products) tasted terrible,” he says. “People didn’t have a choice. Now that’s over.”

There’s a trend for better tasting healthy foods, he says. “They expect it to be natural, high quality and to taste good,” he adds.

The bakery’s newest product is its Truebar fruit and snack bar line with low glycemic index ingredients, such as agave nectar, and the addition of inulin to increase the fiber intake. Truebar comes in six flavors: apricot almond chai, coconut cashew, fruit and nut, hazelnut chocolate cherry, raspberry chocolate almond and walnut cappuccino. All products are gluten- and GMO-free, with natural flavors using whole nuts and unsulfured dried fruits.  

Gum and mints, on the other hand, have been well documented to help freshen breath, but help ward off a cold? It’s available as well. And for the sake of convenience, Immuno Gum claims to offer the same benefits of products like Airborne and Zicam, without the need for water. You can keep the gum in your pocket and you don’t have to worry about it getting stuck to the wrapper like some cold lozenges do, says creator Dr. Terry O’Neil. The emergency room physician said the gum’s immunity-boosting ingredients absorb faster into the system.

“I wanted a product that made sense to me personally,” he explains. “You want zinc and vitamin C to be constantly in the back of your throat. You have to get it in the right place.” This can be achieved by chewing Immuno Gum, he says, because as you constantly chew, the ingredients are rolling down the back of your throat. “It’s great for using when first exposed to a cold.”

There are six key ingredients to support immunity and cut the duration of cold symptoms in Immuno Gum: zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, Siberian ginseng, astragalus and echinacea. Zinc also helps block the entrance of cold viruses, he says.

The sugar-free, gluten-free gum is available in three flavors: mint, mixed berry extra strength and a vitamin C only gum calledImmuno C Gum in citrus flavor. O’Neil plans to launch three more SKUs this fall.

    Some confections are even good for the teeth, according to Katie King, spokeswoman for Zellie’s line of all-natural gums and mints sweetened with 100 percent xylitol. “What a totally amazing concept to imagine giving candies to kids to ensure they grow up with good teeth,” she says.

Noting that in Scandinavia, xylitol candies are used as preventive dental measures, King said the sugar substitute also helps in the digestive tract as a pre-biotic and aids with dry mouth.

Zellie’s also has cleaned up their ingredient list by removing whitening aid titanium dioxide and changed the packaging to give “Zellie’s a lively and exciting new look,” she says. “Our vibrant fresh packaging helps communicate the wonderful health side of our product’s story and also the yummy flavors and fresh taste you can expect.”

Zellie’s comes in peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon and fresh fruit gum blister packs as well as cool mint, cool fruit, cinnamon and spearmint pocket-friendly tins.

The Rochester, N.Y., manufacturer contributes 1 percent of gross sales to fight preventable tooth decay and gum disease through its Gift of Healthy Teeth Fund established last year. It all makes sense: good confections, good works, and a growing category.We all want to be healthier. We all know to eat our vegetables, exercise, and get plenty of rest. But it’s also nice for those of us who would just like to pop a pill — or better yet a piece of candy — to get some of those necessary nutrients we need in a flavorful confection.

Confections fortified with healthy ingredients help us to that goal a little faster, easier and in a more tasteful way than ever before.

INBalance Health Corp. has developed a doctor-formulated nutrition bar that helps manage weight and glucose by slowly releasing carbs and providing sustained energy to keep consumers full between meals. INBar is designed to go with an 8-oz. glass of water so that it swells and keeps the belly full, according to Nichole Allen, marketing/public relations lead for the Wayland, Mich., manufacturer.

Launched a year and a half ago with strawberry, chocolate mint, cherry chocolate and chocolate fudge, INBar has added chocolate butter crunch and cinnamon swirl to its line. Each is certified gluten- and GMO-free, vegan, kosher and organic, and bereft the top six allergens — soy, eggs, corn, dairy, nuts and wheat.

Organic brown rice and fiber minimizes sugar spikes and controls hunger, Allen says, who projects sales to double. “Conscientious consumers watching their weight want convenience but don’t want to sacrifice taste,” she adds.

 To aid in the nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing women, Credible Cravings, of Irvine, Calif., has developed three organic snacks bars using organic whole foods and natural probiotics.

Each bar — available in lemon ginger greens, oatmeal cranberry and chocolate —  contain omega-3 fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics to aid in healthy digestion. Credible Cravings also use ginger to alleviate nausea and upset stomachs, and oats containing vitamin B, potassium and fiber to provide energy and aid in digestion. Other wholesome ingredients include almonds, dates, quinoa and sweet potatoes, which provide protein, fiber and/or vitamins and minerals.

Founder Stephanie Baker also expects to launch new bars in the next 12 months. “As consumers become more educated about real food nutrition, and as science reveals more about the damaging impact that the chemicals and processes polluting our food supply have on the health of our population, the functional food category will continue to expand,” she says. “More and more consumers will seek out whole food ingredients that provide their bodies with nutrients to fuel their individual lifestyle.”

Taste is everything. The demand for good-tasting gluten-free products has literally expanded the business of Bakery on Main, which just broke ground in June on its new 111,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant in East Hartford, Conn. This quadrupling in size from its previous home is expected to create more than 70 new jobs.

There has been tremendous growth in gluten-free products, such as the snack bars, granola and cereals that Bakery on Main produces, according to founder and President Michael Smulders. “It used to be that (gluten-free products) tasted terrible,” he says. “People didn’t have a choice. Now that’s over.”

There’s a trend for better tasting healthy foods, he says. “They expect it to be natural, high quality and to taste good,” he adds.

The bakery’s newest product is its Truebar fruit and snack bar line with low glycemic index ingredients, such as agave nectar, and the addition of inulin to increase the fiber intake. Truebar comes in six flavors: apricot almond chai, coconut cashew, fruit and nut, hazelnut chocolate cherry, raspberry chocolate almond and walnut cappuccino. All products are gluten- and GMO-free, with natural flavors using whole nuts and unsulfured dried fruits.  

Gum and mints, on the other hand, have been well documented to help freshen breath, but help ward off a cold? It’s available as well. And for the sake of convenience, Immuno Gum claims to offer the same benefits of products like Airborne and Zicam, without the need for water. You can keep the gum in your pocket and you don’t have to worry about it getting stuck to the wrapper like some cold lozenges do, says creator Dr. Terry O’Neil. The emergency room physician said the gum’s immunity-boosting ingredients absorb faster into the system.

“I wanted a product that made sense to me personally,” he explains. “You want zinc and vitamin C to be constantly in the back of your throat. You have to get it in the right place.” This can be achieved by chewing Immuno Gum, he says, because as you constantly chew, the ingredients are rolling down the back of your throat. “It’s great for using when first exposed to a cold.”

There are six key ingredients to support immunity and cut the duration of cold symptoms in Immuno Gum: zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, Siberian ginseng, astragalus and echinacea. Zinc also helps block the entrance of cold viruses, he says.

The sugar-free, gluten-free gum is available in three flavors: mint, mixed berry extra strength and a vitamin C only gum calledImmuno C Gum in citrus flavor. O’Neil plans to launch three more SKUs this fall.

Some confections are even good for the teeth, according to Katie King, spokeswoman for Zellie’s line of all-natural gums and mints sweetened with 100 percent xylitol. “What a totally amazing concept to imagine giving candies to kids to ensure they grow up with good teeth,” she says.

Noting that in Scandinavia, xylitol candies are used as preventive dental measures, King said the sugar substitute also helps in the digestive tract as a pre-biotic and aids with dry mouth.

Zellie’s also has cleaned up their ingredient list by removing whitening aid titanium dioxide and changed the packaging to give “Zellie’s a lively and exciting new look,” she says. “Our vibrant fresh packaging helps communicate the wonderful health side of our product’s story and also the yummy flavors and fresh taste you can expect.”

Zellie’s comes in peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon and fresh fruit gum blister packs as well as cool mint, cool fruit, cinnamon and spearmint pocket-friendly tins.

The Rochester, N.Y., manufacturer contributes 1 percent of gross sales to fight preventable tooth decay and gum disease through its Gift of Healthy Teeth Fund established last year. It all makes sense: good confections, good works, and a growing category.We all want to be healthier. We all know to eat our vegetables, exercise, and get plenty of rest. But it’s also nice for those of us who would just like to pop a pill — or better yet a piece of candy — to get some of those necessary nutrients we need in a flavorful confection.

Confections fortified with healthy ingredients help us to that goal a little faster, easier and in a more tasteful way than ever before.

INBalance Health Corp. has developed a doctor-formulated nutrition bar that helps manage weight and glucose by slowly releasing carbs and providing sustained energy to keep consumers full between meals. INBar is designed to go with an 8-oz. glass of water so that it swells and keeps the belly full, according to Nichole Allen, marketing/public relations lead for the Wayland, Mich., manufacturer.

Launched a year and a half ago with strawberry, chocolate mint, cherry chocolate and chocolate fudge, INBar has added chocolate butter crunch and cinnamon swirl to its line. Each is certified gluten- and GMO-free, vegan, kosher and organic, and bereft the top six allergens — soy, eggs, corn, dairy, nuts and wheat.

Organic brown rice and fiber minimizes sugar spikes and controls hunger, Allen says, who projects sales to double. “Conscientious consumers watching their weight want convenience but don’t want to sacrifice taste,” she adds.

To aid in the nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing women, Credible Cravings, of Irvine, Calif., has developed three organic snacks bars using organic whole foods and natural probiotics.

Each bar — available in lemon ginger greens, oatmeal cranberry and chocolate —  contain omega-3 fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics to aid in healthy digestion. Credible Cravings also use ginger to alleviate nausea and upset stomachs, and oats containing vitamin B, potassium and fiber to provide energy and aid in digestion. Other wholesome ingredients include almonds, dates, quinoa and sweet potatoes, which provide protein, fiber and/or vitamins and minerals.

Founder Stephanie Baker also expects to launch new bars in the next 12 months. “As consumers become more educated about real food nutrition, and as science reveals more about the damaging impact that the chemicals and processes polluting our food supply have on the health of our population, the functional food category will continue to expand,” she says. “More and more consumers will seek out whole food ingredients that provide their bodies with nutrients to fuel their individual lifestyle.”

Taste is everything. The demand for good-tasting gluten-free products has literally expanded the business of Bakery on Main, which just broke ground in June on its new 111,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant in East Hartford, Conn. This quadrupling in size from its previous home is expected to create more than 70 new jobs.

There has been tremendous growth in gluten-free products, such as the snack bars, granola and cereals that Bakery on Main produces, according to founder and President Michael Smulders. “It used to be that (gluten-free products) tasted terrible,” he says. “People didn’t have a choice. Now that’s over.”

There’s a trend for better tasting healthy foods, he says. “They expect it to be natural, high quality and to taste good,” he adds.

The bakery’s newest product is its Truebar fruit and snack bar line with low glycemic index ingredients, such as agave nectar, and the addition of inulin to increase the fiber intake. Truebar comes in six flavors: apricot almond chai, coconut cashew, fruit and nut, hazelnut chocolate cherry, raspberry chocolate almond and walnut cappuccino. All products are gluten- and GMO-free, with natural flavors using whole nuts and unsulfured dried fruits.  

Gum and mints, on the other hand, have been well documented to help freshen breath, but help ward off a cold? It’s available as well. And for the sake of convenience, Immuno Gum claims to offer the same benefits of products like Airborne and Zicam, without the need for water. You can keep the gum in your pocket and you don’t have to worry about it getting stuck to the wrapper like some cold lozenges do, says creator Dr. Terry O’Neil. The emergency room physician said the gum’s immunity-boosting ingredients absorb faster into the system.

“I wanted a product that made sense to me personally,” he explains. “You want zinc and vitamin C to be constantly in the back of your throat. You have to get it in the right place.” This can be achieved by chewing Immuno Gum, he says, because as you constantly chew, the ingredients are rolling down the back of your throat. “It’s great for using when first exposed to a cold.”

There are six key ingredients to support immunity and cut the duration of cold symptoms in Immuno Gum: zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, Siberian ginseng, astragalus and echinacea. Zinc also helps block the entrance of cold viruses, he says.

The sugar-free, gluten-free gum is available in three flavors: mint, mixed berry extra strength and a vitamin C only gum calledImmuno C Gum in citrus flavor. O’Neil plans to launch three more SKUs this fall.

Some confections are even good for the teeth, according to Katie King, spokeswoman for Zellie’s line of all-natural gums and mints sweetened with 100 percent xylitol. “What a totally amazing concept to imagine giving candies to kids to ensure they grow up with good teeth,” she says.

Noting that in Scandinavia, xylitol candies are used as preventive dental measures, King said the sugar substitute also helps in the digestive tract as a pre-biotic and aids with dry mouth.

Zellie’s also has cleaned up their ingredient list by removing whitening aid titanium dioxide and changed the packaging to give “Zellie’s a lively and exciting new look,” she says. “Our vibrant fresh packaging helps communicate the wonderful health side of our product’s story and also the yummy flavors and fresh taste you can expect.”

Zellie’s comes in peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon and fresh fruit gum blister packs as well as cool mint, cool fruit, cinnamon and spearmint pocket-friendly tins.

The Rochester, N.Y., manufacturer contributes 1 percent of gross sales to fight preventable tooth decay and gum disease through its Gift of Healthy Teeth Fund established last year. It all makes sense: good confections, good works, and a growing category.